August 13, 2021
Governor Daniel McKee
82 Smith St.
Providence, RI 02903

 

Dear Governor Daniel McKee

On August 4th 2021, the CDC updated its guidance related to masking in schools. As
the incidence of viral spread continues to grow it is important that we pay close attention
to recommendations from the experts in infectious disease prevention.

 

The new guidance from the CDC states, ”with COVID-19 cases increasing nationally
since mid-June 2021, driven by the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of SARS-CoV-2, protection
against exposure remains essential in school settings.

 

Because of the highly
transmissible nature of this variant, along with the extent of mixing of vaccinated and
unvaccinated people in schools, the fact that children <12 years of age are not currently
eligible for vaccination, and low levels of vaccination among youth ages 12-17, CDC
recommends universal indoor masking for all students (age 2 years and older),
teachers, staff, and visitors to K-12 schools regardless of vaccination status.”

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics of RI this week issued a statement asking the
State of RI to implement a universal masking program for the start of the school year in
conjunction with vaccinating all who are eligible.

 

Here in Rhode Island we have seen a notable increase in COVID-19 transmission.
According to data from the RI Department of Health, since July 3rd:

 

? the test positive rate has increased from 0.4% to 3.3%,
? the community transmission has risen from 12/100,000 to 140/100,000
(high transmission)
? Hospitalizations have risen from 18 to 79, (up from 40 patients earlier this
week).

 

Additionally, according to data from the RI Department of Health the current rate of
infection in school age children is above the 100/100,000 indicating High Transmission:

 

? Children 5-9 years 147/100,000
? Children 10-14 years 158/100,000
? Children 15-18 years 138/100,000

 

One of the best ways to minimize the spread of the virus and the development of new
variants is to take the precautions we have available to us such as vaccinations for
those who are able to be vaccinated and wearing facial coverings.

 Wearing a mask
protects you and the people around you, but they work best when everyone wears one.
It is one of the easiest ways we have to slow the spread of disease. The decision of
whether or not to require masking in schools is of vital importance to the health and
well-being of Rhode Islanders. 

Therefore any actions must be guided by experts in the
field of public health and epidemiology and should not be delegated to municipal school
departments.

 

We call upon you, Governor Daniel McKee, to consider this information and to declare
an executive order requiring appropriate facial coverings for school students (age 2
years and older), teachers, staff, and visitors to K-12 schools regardless of vaccination
status.

 

Respectfully,
Representative Michelle McGaw, District 71
Representative Deborah Ruggiero, District 74
Representative Teresa Tanzi, District 34
Representative Rebecca Kislak, District 4
Representative Edith Ajello, District 1
Representative Lauren Carson, District 75
Representative Terri Cortvriend, District 72
Representative David Morales, District 7
Representative Susan Donovan, District 69
Representative Robert Craven, District 32
Representative Brianna Henries, District 64
Representative Gregg Amore, District 65
Representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell,
District 5
Representative Kathleen Fogarty, District 35
Representative Karen Alzate, District 60
Representative June Speakman, District 68
Representative Brandon Potter, District 16
Representative Liana Cassar, District 66
Representative Jose Batista, District 12
Representative John Lombardi, District 8
Representative Joshua Giraldo, District 56
Representative Jason Knight, District 67
Representative Leonela Felix, District 61
Senator James Seveney, District 11
Senator Alana DiMario, District 36
Senator Kendra Anderson, District 31
Senator Tiara Mack, District 6
Senator Jeanine Calkin, District 30
Senator Cynthia Mendes, District 18
Senator Lou DiPalma, District 12
Senator Joshua Miller, District 28
Senator Bridget Valverde, District 35
Senator Dawn Euer, District 13
Senator Sam Bell, District 5